David G. Buttrick Certificate Program in Homiletic Peer Coaching

The Two Options

Who should become a certified preaching coach? Similar to programs in CPE supervision or spiritual direction, this program is not for everyone. Because we are certifying you professionally to “hang a shingle,” thereby taking responsibility for partnering in an important aspect of another person’s vocation, the program is rigorous, involving extensive reading, coursework, training in professional ethics, supervised practice, and evaluation.We assume, therefore, that if you want to become a certified preaching coach you are: 1) professionally motivated – you desire to add homiletic coaching to your resumé and want to engage in either a fee-based… Read More

Because our program requires participants to help train preaching coaches, we are in a situation where we can provide an excellent, well-supervised group experience to many preachers. This experience also includes the possibility of time on campus with Vanderbilt faculty and our training team – a unique experience beyond what most peer-groups would otherwise experience. Who should join a Preaching Peer-Group? Peer-groups are designed to develop ministry-sustaining relationships and to assist in professional and vocational formation in ministry. If you join one of our groups, you should not expect the kind of highly directive… Read More

Program Philosophy

This program addresses two enduring questions asked by those who are learning to preach. First, how can I learn both theory and practice together? Second, how can I get well-supervised feedback and reflect more deeply on my preaching and formation as a preacher? Continue Reading